Labelling machine



Sept. 22, 1959 M. SEIFERT LABELLING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1955 INVENTORfjczur/ceje/feri. BY A m? #74;

ATTORNEY United States Patent LABELLING MACHINE Maurice Seifert,Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Dumatic Industries, Inc., Philadelphia,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April s, 1955, Serial No.500,106

2 Claims. or. 311-123 My invention relates to labelling machines, andmore particularly, relates to pneumatical-electrical controls for thecut-off device for the labels prior to their application to thecontainers.

Some of the prior methods of applying labels were to have individuallabels that were applied to the containers one at a time. This was alaborious and time-consuming operation and, as there was no directcontrol, often the wrong label was applied to a container. The strip oflabels has proven advantageous and it is in the applying of this type oflabel that my improved cut-off device finds application.

In some of the prior art devices, an attempt was made to actuate thecut-01f device by indentations in the edge of the strip of labels, theindentations being at the point at which the strip of labels was to besevered; a wheel encountering these indentations actuating the cut-offdevice. This arrangement required very accurate set-up arrangements;set-ups that often had to be made by a skilled mechanic.

In my improved cut-off control, I have devised a pneumatically actuatedelectrical control that is simple in its operation and only requiresthat the operator center the roll of labels in the labelling machine.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to construct 'a cut-offcontrol for a labelling machine that is simple in its operation, and onethat can be adjusted for operation by an unskilled operator.

Another object of my invention is to devise a cut-off control for alabelling machine that can be applied to various types of labellingmachines.

Another object of my invention is to devise a cut-off control for alabelling machine that will function to cutoff labels of various widthswithout adjustment of the controls.

Another object of my invention is to devise a cut-ofif control for alabelling machine that will function to cutoff labels of variouslengths, it only being necessary to have the strip of labels piercedwith a single hole at the point at which the label strip is to besevered to segregate the individual labels from the strip of labels.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved device of thecharacter described, that is easily I and economically produced, whichis sturdy in construction, and which is highly efficient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in thedetails of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fullyunderstood from the following description, when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the operating components of the labellingmachine showing a preferred embodiment of my improved cut-off control.In order not to obstruct the view of the components, the frame of themachine is not shown.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the pneumatic unit of the cutoff controldevice.

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view of the pneumatic unit takenalong line 33 of Fig. 2 showing a strip of the labels in contact withthe pneumatic unit and a hole in the strip positioned over the orificeof the pneumatic unit.

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view of the pneumatic unit takenalong line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing a strip of the labels in contact withthe pneumatic unit.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, in which similarreference characters refer to similar parts, I disclose a label stripfeed unit and cut-off unit for a labelling machine; the feed and cut-offunits being pneumatically-electrically controlled. In the illustrations,the frame of the machine is not shown. However, it is to be understoodthat the components shown are fixedly and rotatably mounted on the frameof the machine, as will hereinafter be described.

In Fig. 1 is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my improvedpneumatic-electrical control; a strip of labels, generally designated L,unwinding from a roll of labels, not shown, enters the feed and cut-offunits of the labelling machine at 10, passing over a vacuum unit,generally designated V. The roll of labels is positioned so that aseries of perforations 11, positioned along the center of the strip oflabels and also positioned at the division point 12 between the printedlabels 13 on the label strip L, comes over an orifice 14 in the upperside 15 of the vacuum unit, generally designated V. The vacuum unit V iscomprised of a chamber 16 surrounded by air tight walls 15 and 17 andconnected by a tube 18 at 19 to the vacuum system of the labellingmachine. The vacuum producing means (not shown) may be any of theconventional units for this service. As the vacuum producing means isused for other functions in the labelling machine, the negative pressureproduced by the vacuum means varies. In order to obtain a fairlyconstant negative pressure on the vacuum unit V a plenum chamber 20 isconnected to the tube 18 and the plenum chamber 20 is, in turn,connected to the vacuum producing unit (not shown) by the tube 21. Arestriction 22, restricting the air flow in the tube 20, assists theplenum chamber 20 to dampen the fluctuations in the negative pressure. Abellows unit 23 adjacent to and connected by the hole 24 to the chamber16 of the-vacuum unit V is held in an extended condition by an internalhelical tension spring 26. When one of the perforations 11 in the stripof labels L is positioned over the orifice 14 in the vacuum unit upperwall 17, air enters the chamber 16 of the vacuum unit V. As the airentering at 14 is at a greater rate than it is being withdrawn through arestriction 25 in the tube 18, the air pressure in the chamber 16 of thevacuum unit increases and the spring 26 within the bellows unit 23extends the bellows unit to break the electrical contacts 27 (see Fig.3) and stop rotation of the feed unit, as will be hereinafter described.When the bellows 23, which has an electrical contact blade 23A mountedthereon, is in an expanded position, as seen in Fig. 3, the perforation11 in the label 10 registers with the orifice 14 whereby the electricalcircuit to the solenoid is opened because the blade 23A does not bridgethe controls 27, 27 of the wires W8, W9. The vacuum in the vacuum unit Vcauses the bellows 23 to collapse so that the blade 23A engages thecontacts 27, 27 to close the electrical circuit and actuate thesolenoid. The labels are cut by the blades of the cut-off unit C whenthe feed rollers move the labels until the vacuum in the vacuum unit Vis broken by holes 11 and 14 registering. When the perforations in thestrip, of labels L are not positioned over the orifice 14 in the wall ofthe chamber 16 of the vacuum unit V, the vacuum system withdraws the airfrom the chamber 16 of the vacuum unit V creating a negative pressure,or a pressure below atmospheric pressure. This negative pressure causesthe atmospheric Patented Sept. 22, 1959 wheel 59. .wise rotation of theangular cam wheel. support 54 on pressure to overcome the spring 26within the bellows unit 23 and the bellows unit collapses (see Fig. 4)to close the electrical contacts 27 of switch S1.

' In their progress through the feed and cut-off units, the strip oflabels next passes between the feed rolls of the feedroll unit,generally designated F. The feed roll. unit F is comprised of an upperfeed roll 30 and a lower feed roll 31-. The feed rolls 30 and 31securely position the strip of labels L between them so that movement ofthe outer surface of the rolls produces a linear movement in the stripof labels L. The upper feed roll 30 is positioned, supported, andfixedly attached to a shaft 32; the shaft 32 being, in turn, rotatablymounted on the frame of the machine (not shown). The lower feed roll 31is positioned, supported, and fixedly attached to a shaft 33. The shaft33 is also rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine. Fixedlyattached to the right hand end of the shaft 33 is a worm wheel 34arranged to be engaged by a driving means, as will hereinafter bedescribed. Fixedly attached to the left hand end of the shaft 33 is aspur gear 35. The spur gear 35 is positioned to engage a similar spurgear 36 which is fixedly attached to the shaft 32 of the upper feed roll30.

The driving means for the feed rolls 30 and 31 is comprised of a motor37 which rotates continuously while the machine is in operation andwhich is pivotally mounted at 38 on the frame of the machine (notshown). The motor rotates a shaft 39 to which is fixedly attached a wormgear 40. The outer end 41 of the shaft 39 is mounted in a pivotallymounted bearing 42. The pivotal bearing 42 and the pivotal mounting 38of the motor 37 provide for vertical movement of the outer end 41 of thedrive shaft 39. An electrical solenoid, generally designated S, has anarmature 43 which is fixedly attached to the pivotally mounted bearing42 and arranged to position the bearing so that when the solenoid S isdeenergized, the bearing positions the shaft 39 so that the worm gear 40is clear of the worm wheel 34 and when the solenoid S is energized, thearmature 43 raises the bearing 42 and outer end 41 of the shaft 39 sothat the worm gear 40 is in position to engage the worm wheel 34 torotate the feed rolls 3t? and 31. With this arrangement, it will beobserved that the feed rolls are positioned to withdraw the label stripL from the roll of labels (not shown) and draw them across the vacuumunit V and on to the cut-off unit, generally designated C. However, itwill also be observed that the feeding and movement of the strip oflabels only occurs at the time that the solenoid S is energized.

The cut-off unit C of the machine is comprised of a fixed blade 45 whichis fixedly attached to the frame of the machine (not shown). An upperblade 46 of the cut-off unit is arranged to move vertically in guides(not shown) on the machine frame. An operating arm 47 pivotally attachedat 48 to the upper blade 46 and pivotally attached at 49 to the frame ofthe machine, has its outer end pivotally attached at 50 to an operatinglink 51. The lower end of operating link 51 is pivotally attached at 52to an outwardly extending arm 53 of an angular cam wheel support 54. Theangular cam wheel support is pivotally attached at 55 to the frame ofthe machine (not shown). A downwardly extending arm 56 of the angularcam wheel support 54 is arranged to rotatably support a cam wheel 57.The cam wheel 57 is arranged to be engaged by a cam 60, which is fixedlyattached to a shaft 61. The shaft 61 and cam 60 rotate in a clock-wisedirection driven by a rotating force '(not shown) and rotatecontinuously while the machine is in operation. With this arrangement,it will be observed that clock-wise rotation of the cam 60 causes aprojection 62 on the cam wheel 60 to engage the cam This engagementproduces counter-clockthe pivot 55, causing upward .motion of-theoperating link 51. The upward motion of the link 51 causes the operatingarm 47 to rotate clock-wise on the pivot 49' to lower the upper blade 46of the cut-off unit. The sharpened lower edge 46A of the upper blade 46passes the sharpened upper edge 45A of the lower blade 45 and to sever alabel 44 from the stripof labels L.

A contact operating cam- 63 is also fixedly attached to the shaft 61 androtates with the shaft 61 and cam 60. A flat portion 64 on the peripheryof the cam 63 is arranged to engage a. contact arm cam wheel 65. The contact arm cam wheel 65 is rotatably mounted on the upper end 66 of anelectrical contact arm 67. The contact arm 67 is pivotally attached at68 to the frame of the machine (not shown). A helical tension spring 69,one end of which is attached to the contact arm 67 and the other endattached to the frame of the machine (not shown), provides a force tokeep the contact arm cam wheel 65 in contact with the periphery of thecontact operating cam 63. An electrical contact making plate 70,attached to the contact arm 67, is arranged to complete the electricalconnection between the contact points 71 when the contact arm cam wheel65 is engaged by the flat portion 64 on the contact operating cam 63.

Now the operation of my improved label positioning and cut-off controlis as follows: After positioning the strip of labels in the machine, thefeeding and cutting of labels is automatic. Electrical energy enters theelectrical circuit at through wires W1 and W2. A portion of the energytravels through the wires W3 and W4 to the feed roll drive motor 37,which runs continuously while the machine is in operation. A portion ofthe electrical energy travels through wires W5 and W6 to the controlcircuit. As a strip of labels L moves through the machine, and as longas perforations 11 in the strip L are not over the orifice 14 in thevacuum unit V, a vacuum is produced in the vacuum unit chamber 16 by thevacuum producing means and the bellows 23 is maintained compressed. Thecompressing of the bel lows 23 maintains a normally open electricalcontact 27 27 attached thereto in a closed condition. Electrical energyfrom the wire W8, which is attached to wire W2, passes through thecontact '2727 to wire W9, hence to wire W10 and on to the solenoid S,through the solenoid and on to wire W5, completing the circuit. With thesolenoid S thus energized, as described above, the solenoid armature 43maintains the worm gear 40 in engagement with the worm wheel 35. Withthe Worm gear 49 and worm wheel 35 thus engaged, the feed roll drivemotor 37 drives the feed rolls 30 and 31 to move the label strip Lthrough the machine. As the laber strip L moves across the vacuum unit,one of the perforations 11 passes over the orifice 14 in the upper wall15 of the vacuum unit. This permits air to enter. the chamber 16 of thevacuum unit. As the air enters the chamber faster than the vacuum meanscan withdraw air from the chamber by way of the restriction 25, the airpressure within the vacuum unit increases and permits the bellows 23 tobe extended by the spring 26. The extending of the bellows breaks theelectrical circuit through the contacts 27-27 and electrical energy tothe solenoid S is interrupted and the armature 43 of the solenoid falls,allowing the worm gear 40 on the shaft 39 to rotate free of the wormwheel 35 attached to the drive roller shaft 33. Of course the driverollers stop and :the strip of labels becomes motionless. As the aboveoperation is taking place, the second driving means (not shown) thatrotates the shaft 61, is rotating the cams and 63 attached to the shaft61, and as the projection 62on the cam 60 encounters the cam wheel 57,the upper blade 46 and lower blade 45 of the cutoff unit sever a label44 from the strip of labels, as described above. The cams 60 and 63continue their clockwise rotation and as the wheel on the electricalcontact arm 67 moves over the fiat portion 64 of the periphery of thecam 63, the contact plate 70 completes the electrical circuit-betweenthe contact points 71- -41, and as these contact points are in parallelwith the contact points 2727 on the vacuum unit bellows by way of wiresW11 and W6, the solenoid S is again energized and the feed rolls againbegin to turn, as described above. As soon as the perforations 11 moveoff the orifice of the vacuum unit V, the vacuum within the vacuum unitchamber 16 is re-established and the bellows unit is again contracted tocomplete the electrical circuit through the contacts 2727 to energizethe solenoid S. The solenoid armature raises the outer end 41 of theshaft 39 so that the worm gear 40 is in engagement with the worm wheel34 and drive feed rolls, and move the strip of labels L through themachine. The movement of the strip of labels L continues until a secondperforation 11 in the strip of labels comes over the orifice 14 in thevacuum unit V, thus completing one cycle of operation.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, suchdescription is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting,since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of theinvention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. Electrical-pneumatical controls as applied to a rolled labellingmachine comprising a continuous web of labels having spaced openingspervaded therethrough comprising expandable pneumatically controlledbellows, an electric switch control on said bellows, a vacuum unitchamber having an opening to the atmosphere, a first electrical switchadapted to be electrically closed by said bellows, a second electricswitch joined in parallel electrically to said first switch, a solenoidelectrically controlled by each of said switches, a cam adapted to becontinuously rotated, said second switch being actuated at apredetermined portion of cycle of the rotation of said cam, said labelshaving an opening adapted to register with an opening in said vacuumunit chamber thereby controlling the actuation of said bellows to opensaid first-named switch, said second switch being adapted to close theelectrical circuit to said solenoid when said second switch is camactuated for a brief interval of time and when said vacuum is open tothe atmosphere, said second switch being adapted to be kept open by saidcam for the remainder of the cycle of rotation of said cam, and saidfirst switch being adapted to close said electrical circuit to saidsolenoid after said bellows moves to close said second switch,

and both electric switches being opened when a label has traveled apre-determined distance whereby the vacuum unit chamber is open to theatmosphere and said continuously rotatable cam has opened said secondswitch at a pre-determined portion of said cam.

2. Electrical-pneumatical controls comprising a web having spacedopenings pervaded therethrough comprising expandable pneumaticallycontrolled bellows, an electric switch control on said bellows, a vacuumunit chamber having an opening to the atmosphere, a first electricalswitch adapted to be electrically closed by said bellows, a secondelectric switch joined in parallel electrically to said first switch, asolenoid electrically controlled by each of said switches, a cam adaptedto be continuously rotated, said second switch being actuated at apre-determined portion of cycle of the rotation of said cam, said webhaving an opening adapted to register with an opening in said vacuumunit chamber thereby controlling the actuation of said bellows to opensaid first-named switch, said second switch being adapted to close theelectrical circuit when said second switch is cam actuated for a briefinterval of time and when said vacuum is open to the atmosphere and saidsecond switch being adapted to be kept open by said cam for theremainder of the cycle of rotation of said cam, and said first switchbeing adapted to close said electrical circuit after said bellows movesinwardly to close said second switch, and both electric switches beingopened whereby the vacuum unit chamber is open to the atmosphere andsaid cam has reached a pre-determined portion of said cam.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS736,783 Robinson et al Aug. 18, 1903 1,814,890 Biagosch July 14, 19311,970,368 Fishburn Aug. 14, 1934 2,156,931 Williams May 2, 19392,300,569 Hayssen Nov. 3, 1942 2,466,686 Connelly Apr. 12, 19492,537,499 Williamson Ian. 9, 1951 2,734,571 Martell Feb. 14, 1956FOREIGN PATENTS 293,044 Great Britain Sept. 19, 1929

